South Dorset section of the Vintage Motorcycle Club
Club night 25th May 2023
Cormack delivered a very interesting talk about his 6-month trip around the coastlines of Australia to club members.
Cormack’s adventure was certainly very eventful, even before he’d made his final bike purchase for his trip. What was evident was the camaraderie of travelers he met during the trip and how important it was to have good contacts when traveling solo in what could only be described as a wilderness full of potential danger at every turn.
Report from Rod Hann
The Weymouth Week organised by the South Dorset Section of the VMCC took place from the 14th to 19th May. All week the weather was very kind to us with no rain at all which allowed full enjoyment of our beautiful Dorset countryside.
On Sunday we used some of the original route used in 1968. A short ride took us to Moreton for our coffee break. Some also visited the grave of Lawrence of Arabia. We continued on across Lulworth Ranges but here thick fog prevented seeing the splendid views. Back inland we went to the Bovington Tank Museum for our lunch break. A shortish ride took us to Osmington for the tea break before returning back into Weymouth. A nice gentle day to start things off.
Monday saw us heading northwest with magnificent views before stopping at Hamish’s Farm Shop at Ryme Intrinseca for coffee. A gentle route took us to Spire Hill at Stalbridge where lunch was taken and another 20 miles saw us taking tea at The Cabin Cafe at Warden Hill. Here everyone was also occupied looking around the Emporium second-hand shop. 18 miles further returned everyone back to Bagwell Farm.
On Tuesday we headed west. We passed the famous Abbotsbury Swannery before following the coast road to Bridport and then to Morcomblake where coffee was taken. A few twisty lanes next as we went down to Colyton where lunch was taken at the Tram Station. Members took advantage of a ride to Seaton and back on the tram. Returning eastwards we went to Freshwater Holiday Park for our tea before again following the coast road back to Bagwell Farm.
Wednesday we agin went east before taking coffee at The Rainbow Garage Cafe. Further east we went to Studland where we had glorious views over Poole Harbour whilst many members enjoyed an ice cream. We travelled into Swanage next and on to Putlake Adventure Farm where lunch was taken. Returning west again we went to Lulworth Cove where tea was taken and members walked down to admire the views of the Cove. A route back through Weymouth returned us to Bagwell Farm.
Thursday was the longest ride of the week as we went northeastwards across country to Milton Abbas for our coffee stop. Further on we went through Ashmore which is the highest village in Dorset before descending the famous Zig Zag Hill.
Into Shaftesbury town, we stopped at Abbey Walk where members walked into the town centre for lunch. 20 miles later we arrived at Round Chimneys Farm Cafe where tea was taken and many animals were seen on this working farm. Another 23 miles returned us to Bagwell Farm.
Friday being the last day was a little easier. A return trip along the coast road to Bridport and then to Broadwindsor where coffee was taken and people looked around the various craft shops on site. Next, we enjoyed more nice views as we headed to Leigh where Carol had laid on a lunch for everyone. They also looked at a few motorcycles. A direct route returned everyone back to Bagwell Farm where we said our farewells with the promise that we will do the same again next year.
A number of weeks ago I stumbled across a number of grainy prints taken at the Dorset Section Weymouth run on May 19th, 1986.
It’s probably hard to identify anyone however, you may recognise some of the machines. Dusty’s “The JP” is there as well as Rod’s Model H with a wicker sidecar and Ken & Shirley Blake’s NUT.
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